# Douglas A. Lawson

> American geologist, paleontologist and computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q5301184](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5301184)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_A._Lawson)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/douglas-a-lawson

## Summary
Douglas A. Lawson is an American geologist, paleontologist, and computer scientist born in 1947. He is recognized for his multidisciplinary contributions across the earth sciences and computational theory. Lawson is also noted for his academic background at the University of Texas at Austin and holds an author citation in zoology.

## Biography
*   **Born:** 1947
*   **Nationality:** United States
*   **Education:** University of Texas at Austin
*   **Known for:** Working across the disciplines of geology, paleontology, and computer science
*   **Field(s):** Geology, Paleontology, Computer Science
*   **Gender:** Male

## Contributions
Based on the provided structured data, Douglas A. Lawson's contributions span three distinct scientific disciplines:

*   **Zoological Recognition:** He holds the author citation **Lawson** in the field of zoology, indicating his contribution to the classification or description of biological taxa.
*   **Multidisciplinary Practice:** He integrates the study of earth history (geology and paleontology) with the theoretical and practical foundations of computation (computer science).

## FAQs

**What is Douglas A. Lawson's background?**
Douglas A. Lawson is an American male born in 1947. He attended the University of Texas at Austin.

**What are Douglas A. Lawson's primary professions?**
He is identified as a geologist, a paleontologist, and a computer scientist.

**How is Douglas A. Lawson cited in zoology?**
In the context of zoological nomenclature, his author citation is recorded simply as "Lawson."

**What distinguishes his role as a computer scientist?**
As a computer scientist, he is classified as a technology specialist and systems analyst who focuses on the theoretical foundations of information and computation, distinct from a computational scientist.

## Why They Matter
Douglas A. Lawson represents a unique intersection of earth science and digital innovation. His career path demonstrates the application of computational theory to natural sciences. While many scientists specialize in a single domain, Lawson's profile highlights the synthesis of geological history, biological study (paleontology), and advanced systems analysis. His work exemplifies the "interdisciplinary application" noted in the field of computer science, where computational principles are applied to diverse scientific datasets. His formal recognition as an author in zoology further solidifies his specific contribution to biological taxonomy.

## Notable For
*   **Multidisciplinary Expertise:** He is one of the few individuals listed explicitly as a geologist, paleontologist, and computer scientist simultaneously.
*   **Academic Foundation:** His education at the University of Texas at Austin provided the basis for his cross-disciplinary career.
*   **Zoological Nomenclature:** He is a cited author in zoology (Lawson).
*   **Theoretical Computing:** His classification as a computer scientist places him in the category of professionals focused on the design of computational systems and theoretical information foundations.

## Body

### Background and Education
Douglas A. Lawson was born in **1947**. He is a male citizen of the **United States**. His academic training is rooted in the **University of Texas at Austin**. His professional identity is defined by a trio of occupations: **geologist**, **paleontologist**, and **computer scientist**.

### Professional Classification and Roles
Lawson’s career is characterized by a blend of field science and theoretical computing.

*   **Geologist and Paleontologist:** These titles identify him as a scientist who studies the physical substance of the Earth and the history of life through the fossil record.
*   **Computer Scientist:** In this capacity, he is defined as "one who studies or practices computer science." This role involves focusing on the theoretical foundations of information and computation. Unlike a "computational scientist"—who might use computers to solve scientific problems—a "computer scientist" like Lawson focuses on the theory of computation and the design of the systems themselves.
*   **Zoology:** Within the biological sciences, he is recognized under the author citation **Lawson**.

### Industry Context
As a computer scientist, Lawson operates within the **industrial and service sectors**. His professional classification aligns with the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08) code **2511**. His work in this field places him alongside professionals who research and develop algorithms, programming languages, and computing paradigms. His profile supports the view of computer scientists as "systems analysts" and "technology specialists" who serve as the scientific basis for software and networks.

### Identifiers and Data
*   **Wikidata ID:** Q11920 (referenced in property source data).
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/0fqsdzt.
*   **Wikipedia Presence:** His biography is available in multiple languages including English, Arabic, Italian, and Russian, with a sitelink count of 5.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013